Needle threader for sewing machines



Feb. 20, 1951 E. J. cHR-lsToFF 2,542,313

NEEDLE TEREAEER EOE SEWING MACHINES Filed NOV. 29, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR f/ff/Qy fC///froF/f BY /9Z ATTORNEY Feb. 20, 1951 E. .1. cHRlsTol-'F NEEDLE THREADER FOR SEWING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet:V 2

Filed Nov. 29, 1949 7 6 0 e L, a M01 O 0 1 9 2 2 if 2 z 4 a V l 1111 11111111 F /3 f/ o s1: o 3 u 5 w 81,7 6 2 Z .3 7 2 E n 111.111 11 1 w .0 g nu 6 .\\1H11 2 11 11111111| --.m.. N /V O i. 1111111111 -1 M7511 4% BIL M u Il t TTORNE'Y Patented 20, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NEEDLE THREADER FOR SEWING IVIACHINES This invention relates to sewing machines and attachments therefor and more particularly to a needle threader which is adapted for use with standard makes of sewing machines. Y

An object is to provide a needle threader of the above type having novel and improved characteristics.

Another object is to provide a needle threader which can be operated with a minimum amount of manipulation and which is so simple and positive in operation that it can even be used by a sightless person.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent as the nature of the invention is more fully disclosed.

In one embodiment of the present invention a needle threading device is provided which is carried by the presser foot bar of the sewing machine and is normally held in a retracted position out of engagement with the needle. The device is so arranged that for threading the needle it is turned about the aXis of the presser foot bar into engagement with the needle and at the same time is moved upwardly until stopped by the lower end of the needle bar. The stop means is so set that in this position a needle threading pin registers with the eye of the needle and is adapted to push the thread therethrough in response to a simple pressure of the finger. The device is accordingly simple and easy to operate and does not require that the needle bar be brought to a speoied position prior to its actuation.

The various novel features which are characteristic of this invention will be better understood by referring to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which a specific embodiment thereof has been set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a sewing machine head illustrating the needle threader in retracted position on the presser foot bar;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line Fig. 7 is a still larger vertical section taken on the line l-l of Fig. 6 showing the thread being pushed through the eye of the needle; and

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section taken on the line 8--8 of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings more in detail the invention is shown as applied to a standard sewe ing machine having a head i0, a presser foot bar ii and a needle `bar i2. The presser foot bar carries a presser foot i3 which is adjustably secured thereto by a thumb screw lli and cooperates with feed dog i5 to feed material past the path of the needle for stitching. The presser foot has the usual slot All. The needle bar I2 carries a needle i5 of standard construction which is provided on one side with a longitudinal channel Il to receive the thread and is provided at its lower end with an eye I8. The needle it is secured to the needle bar i2 by means of a thumb screw I9. The thread 20 is guided through thread guides 2l and 22 to the needle for stitching. The portion of the sewing machine thus far described is of standard construction and forms no part of the present invention and it is to be understood that the spacing and relative arrangement of the parts may vary somewhat in different makes of standard sewing machines.

The needle threader embodying the present in- Veni-ion comprises a bracket 2.1 having a cylindrical sleeve 2S which is adapted to fit loosely 0n the presser foot bar il' and is of an axial length suited to permit limited vertical movement as well as rotational movement on the presser foot bar. The bracket 25 terminates at its forward end in a flange 26 to which a nat plate 21 is secured by means of set screws 28 and 29. The forward edges of the flanges 2t and of the plate 2l are bevelled to provide a vertical channel 29 and the bracket 25 is of such a size that when the threader is turned about the presser foot bar H into the position shown in Fig. 5 the channel 29a is brought into registration with the longitudinal channel Il of the needle i6 to provide a thread-receiving and positioning recess.

A stop member 3B in the form of a fiat lplate is adjustably secured to the nange 26 by means of the set screw 28 and is provided with an elongated slot 3| to permit the vertical position of the stop member to be adjusted.

The ange 26 and the plate 2'! are provided with registering transverse grooves 33 (Fig. 7) which form a hole to receive a pin 3d. The pin 34 is positioned and adapted to pass through the eye IB of the needle I6 and to force the thread 20 therethrough, as shown in Fig. 7. At its for-r 3 ward end the pin 34 is attached to a spring arm 36, the upper end of which is attached at 31 to the bracket 25. A strap 38 in the form of a hooked wire attached to the bracket 25 guides the arm 3S for movement in the plane of the pin 315. The arm 3e is adapted to normally hold the pin 3d retracted so that its point is entirely Within the hole 33 and thereby protected from injury. The point is causedto. protrude through,l the eye of the needle by pressing With the inger on the spring arm 36 or on the head of the pin 34 after the device has been properly positioned.

A detent li, shown as a wire, is attached to the.

frame 26 by means of the set screw 29 andv isV adapted to rest on the knurled surface of the thumb screw I when the device is in retracted position as shown in Fig. 1.

The bracket 25 and the various elements constituting the threader are designed in accordance with the particular make of sewing machine to which the threader is to be ippied. When used-as an attachment, the presser foot 1.5 is first removed from the presser footA bar il by loosening the thumb screw I ll, the sleeve 26 is positioned on the bar H, and the presser foot is again attached. When the device is in retracted position itl rests upon the knurled thumb screvv M as above describedv and thus remains out of the path of the needle or of the needle bar.

The stopl member 30 is first adjusted in accordance vvith the particular machine so that when the: top surface of this member 3@ engages the bottom of the needle bar I2), the pin 34% will; be in exactv registration with the eye I8 of the needle le. Thereafterv n o further adjustment required-A When it is desired to thread the needle the thread 20 is passed through the guides 2i and 22 and is' held in the slot il ofthe presserv foot bar I3. The threader is then manually lifted somewhat to clear the thumb screw l5 and is turned until the channeled edge 29 is in engagement with the needle le. The device is also raised until the stopv member 3d engages the bottom of the needle bar l2 (Fig. 6). When so positioned the channeled edge 29 of the device spans the thread 2Q and holds the Same against the channel li of the needle I6. Pressure of the i'lnger on the spring arm 3,6 then causes the pin 34 to push thetthread 2d through the eye of the needle as indicated in Fig. '7, after Which the pressure on the spring arm 36 is released and the device is returned to the` position shown in Fig. 1. The entire procedure may be carried out without actually viewing the position of the thread and hence the Y needle may be threaded readily in a dimly lighted room or even by a sightless person.

It is to be understood that the shape of the various parts and the mechanical details may be varied as desired. A specific embodiment has been shown for purposes of illustration only.

What is claimed is:

1. A sewing' machine comprising a sewing machine head having a presser foot bar carrying a presser foot and a. needle bar carrying a needle for stitchingl said needle having an eye at its free end, a threading device comprising a bracket having a sleeve loosely jonrnalled about said presser foot bar for limited vertical and rotational movement thereon, a vertical member carried by said bracket having a free vertical edge positioned to lie against and along the needle for v to register with the eye of said needle, spring means normally holding said pin retracted and adapted to permit said pin to be extended through said eye when located in registration therewith.

2. A Sewing machine comprising a sewing machine head having a. presser foot bar carrying a presser foot and a needle bar carrying a needle for stitching, said needle having a longitudinal side channel and an eye at its free end, a threadingd'evice comprising a bracket vhaving a sleeve loosely journalled about said presser foot bar for limited vertical and rotational movement thereon, a vertical member carried by said bracket having a free vertical edge positioned to lie against and along the nee-dle when said device is rotated about said presser foot bar, a retractable pin extending transversely through said member to register with the eye of said needle, spring means normally holding said pin retracted and adapted to permit said pin to be extended through said eyewhen located in registration therewith, said verticalA edgeof said member having a vertical channel adapted to receive and position said thread andto register with said needle channel, said pin. being positioned to projectthrough said channel and tc engage the thread seated therein.

3. In4 combination with av sewing Vmachine head having a presser foot bar carrying a presser foot and a needle'bar carrying a needle for stitching, said needle having an eye at its free end, a.v threading device comprising a bracket having a sleeve loosely journalled aboutsad presser foot bar for limited vertical and rotational" movement thereon, a vertical member ca'iried'by said bracket having a free vertical edge positioned to lie against and along the needle for positioningy the thread when said devicefis rotated about saidn presser foot bar, a retractable pin extending transversely through said me'mloertoregister with the eye of said needle, spring means normally holding said pin retracted Vand adapted to permitnsaid pin to be extended through saidY eye when located in'registratien therewith, a supporting member on bracket 'and'a member on said presser foot par adapted to engage said supporting member to retain" the device in retracted position.

ft 11.1; Gombinatien With a Sewing machine l'read having a presser foot barrcarryinig a presser` floot and a needle bar carrying a needle for stitching, said needle having a longitudinal side channel and an eye at its free end, a threading device comprising a bracket having a sleeve loosely channeled about said presser foot bar for limited vertical and rotational movement thereon, a vertical flange carried by said bracket having @e il??? vertical edge positionedfto lie against and alone the needlewhen Said device is rctated about said presser foot bar, a retractable pin extending transversely through said flange tf1-,resister withv the eye 0f Said needle, spring means normally holding said pin retracted and adapted t0 permit said pin to be extended through said eye when located in registration therewith, aV stop member carried by said iiange to engage the under surface of said needle bar, said stop member being adjustable to position said pin into registration with said eye when said stop member engages said under surface, theV forward edge of said flange having a vertical channel adapted to receive and position said thread and register with said needlechannel, said pin being positioned to project through said channel to engage the thread seated therein.

5. An attachment for a sewing machine hav-f` ing a head carrying a presser foot bar and a needle bar, said attachment comprising a bracket having a sleeve loosely journalled about said presser foot bar for limited vertical and rotational movement thereon, a vertical member carried by said bracket having a free vertical edge positioned to lie against and along the needle for positioning the thread when said device is rotated about said presser foot bar, a retractable pin extending transversely through said member to register with the eye of said needle, spring means normally holding said -pin retracted and adapted to permit said pin to be extended through said eye when located in registration therewith.

6. An attachment for a sewing machine having a head carrying a presser foot bar and a needle bar, said attachment comprising a bracket having a sleeve loosely journalled about said presser foot bar' for limited vertical and rotational movement thereon, a vertical member carried by said bracket having a free vertical edge positioned to lie against and along the needle when said device is rotated about said presser foot bar, a retractable pin extending transversely through said member to register with the eye of said needle, a spring means normally holding said pin retracted and adapted to permit said pin to be extended through said eye when located in registration therewith, said vertical edge of said member having a vertical channel adapted to receive and position said thread and to register with a similar channel in said needle, said ypin being positioned to project through said channel and to engage the thread seated therein.

7. An attachment for a sewing machine having a head carrying a presser foot bar and a needle bar, said attachment comprising a bracket having a sleeve loosely journalled about said presser foot bar for limited vertical and rotational movement thereon, a vertical member carried by said bracket having a free vertical edge positioned to lie against and along the needle when said device is rotated about said 45 presser foot bar, a retractable pin extending transversely through said member to register with the eye of said needle, spring means normally holding said pin retracted and adapted to permit said pin to be extended through said eye when located in registration therewith, a supporting member on said bracket and a member on said presser foot bar adapted to engage said supporting member to retain the device in retracted position.

8. An attachment for a sewing machine having a head carrying a presser foot bar and a needle bar, said attachment comprising a bracket having a sleeve loosely channeled about said presser foot bar for limited vertical and rotational movement thereon, a vertical ange carried by said bracket having a free vertical f edge positioned to lie against and along the needle when said device is rotated about said presser foot bar, a retractable pin extending transversely through said flange to register with the eye of said needle, spring means normally holding said pin retracted and adapted to permit said pin to be extended through said eye when located in registration therewith, a stop member carried by said iiange to engage the under surface of said needle bar, said stop member being adjustable to position said pin into registration with said eye when said stop :member engages said under surface, said vertical edge of said flange having a vertical channel adapted to receive and position said thread and register with a similar channel in said needle, said pin being positioned to project through said channel to engage the thread seated therein.

EMERY J. CHRISTOFF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 525,142 Fischer Aug. 28,. 1894 1,122,717 Frey Dec. 29, 1914 1,239,765 Bowyer Sept. 11, 1917 2,483,595 Olson Oct. 4, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 14,092 Great Britain of 1899` 

